USL Memphis 901 FC

Memphis 901 FC Fall to Miami FC

Published on September 11, 2021 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Memphis 901 FC News Release


Memphis, Tenn. - Memphis 901 FC (6-8-7, 25 points (Central)) dropped Saturday night's contest 0-2 to the Miami FC (12-6-5, 41 points (Atlantic)). Although Memphis dominated Miami in shots, possession and corner kicks, the visitors were able to secure a victory through two fortunate goals and a strong performance from goalkeeper Connor Sparrow.

Memphis were able to send several shots on target in the first half, but it was the Miami FC that found the opener as Christiano François picked up a deflected shot and sent it beyond Cody Cropper in the 32'. François would go on to score his second of the evening in the 50', slotting one through a pair of Memphis defenders. Memphis increased the pressure for the remainder of the match, but Sparrow and the Miami defense proved to be impenetrable.

Memphis fired off a season-high 26 shots and tied a previous season-high of nine shots on target. Of its 26 shots, 17 occurred inside the box, 10 were deflected and nine were saved by Miami's Sparrow-the most an opposing 'keeper has saved against Memphis this season. 901 FC also accounted for a season-high in corner kicks with 15 and have taken 35 corners over its past three matches which stands as the most the club has accounted for in its previous 11 matches combined. Finally, Memphis held a significant advantage in possession and passing accuracy.

"We dominated the match thoroughly from start to finish in every single phase of the game, but they made big plays and we didn't," Head Coach Ben Pirmann admitted. "We have to make bigger plays. There weren't a lot of errors, and there weren't a lot of bad performances. Guys worked hard, guys continue to work hard for this club, and that's the most important thing. We're now having the same conversations from earlier in the season. We need to improve in critical moments."

"It's a tough pill to swallow," defender Mark Segbers said after the match. "We did a lot of good things during the match, but when it came down to critical moments, we were just a bit too slow-maybe a bit reactive-and we lost three points. We've got a full week of training ahead, so it's time to flip the switch and focus on that final moment, and I think we'll be just fine."

Memphis will face its second consecutive interdivisional opponent as the club will travel to Montclair, N.J. to face the Atlantic Division's New York Red Bulls II for the first time since July 2019. Kickoff from MSU Soccer Park is scheduled to commence at 12 p.m. CT on Sunday, Sept. 19. The match can be seen on CW 30 Memphis and ESPN+.

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